Headline: Avondale closure a heartbreak
he Minister owes the people and schools in the Aranui cluster an apology
Today’s Government decision to merge the Aranui schools is a heartbreak for the children, families and teachers of Avondale School who fought hard with the Government to stay open, the Green Party said today.
“The Minister owes the people and schools in the Aranui cluster an apology; they have had to fight too hard for too long without being listened to before finding out their fate,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei this afternoon.
“The focus now needs to be turned to making sure that this ‘super-school’ isn’t used as an excuse or opportunity for the Government to push a Public Private Partnership school,” said Mrs Turei.
“The Minister needs to show that she is committed to strong public education, because everything else she has done so far has been undermining that, including the pushing through of charter schools.
“The Government’s process to reach this final decision today has been really bad – drawn out and littered with bad information and refusals from the Minister to listen to the schools.
“Schools are the hub and at the heart of communities, especially in Christchurch. We will support these communities as they rebuild their quality public schools so their kids have the best chance of a good life and a fair future,” said Mrs Turei.
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